Today: the overhaul of the EU customs system; a briefing for the media on how to cover the European elections; and the vote to decide the city that will host the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Agency.

Nieuwsflits – 21/02/2024 - Nederlands

Today: Parliament President’s reaction to Navalny death; Parliament political groups prepare for the next plenary session; and the rule of law in Slovakia.

Nieuwsflits – 20/02/2024 - Nederlands

Today: the Committee on Budgets is set to vote on three measures that will establish the Ukraine Facility, new rules have been agreed to prevent pollution from ships in European seas, and Parliament and the Council have reached a deal to create EU Disability and Parking Cards.

Nieuwsflits – 19/02/2024 - Nederlands

Today: new rules to support a circular economy, the EU ban on greenwashing, and greener trucks and buses.

Nieuwsflits – 16/02/2024 - Nederlands

Today: stricter rules to ensure the safety of children’s toys, protecting plant health in the EU and an exchange of views on developments regarding jurisdiction over the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine.

Nieuwsflits – 15/02/2024 - Nederlands

Today: this week, parliamentary committees are meeting in Brussels. The Committees on the Internal Market and Civil Liberties voted to approve the outcome of negotiations on the world’s first AI law; the meeting with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde; and the priorities of the Belgian EU Council Presidency.

Nieuwsflits – 14/02/2024 - Nederlands

Hij is overal: thuis, in de auto, op je smartphone. Waar ik het over heb? Over de radio natuurlijk! Op 13 februari zetten we die in het middelpunt van de belangstelling, want dan is het Wereldradiodag. Wist je dat dit trouwe communicatiemiddel ooit zelfs de Eiffeltoren heeft gered?

Wereldradiodag

Today: this week, Committees are meeting in Brussels to discuss new rules on ensuring the safety of artificial intelligence and toys in Europe, as well as textiles and food waste reduction.

Destaques do dia – 13/02/2024 – português

Vrouwelijke genitale verminking omvat alle procedures waarmee de vrouwelijke geslachtsorganen om niet-medische redenen worden gewijzigd of beschadigd. De praktijk wordt toegepast om culturele, religieuze en soms sociale redenen, maar heeft geen gezondheidsvoordelen en kan zelfs ernstige gevolgen hebben voor de gezondheid en het welzijn, zowel onmiddellijk na de ingreep als op de lange termijn. Wat wordt er gedaan om hieraan een einde te maken?

Nultolerantie voor vrouwelijke genitale verminking

Today: the European Parliamentary Week 2024, MEPs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs meet with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the role of cultural diplomacy in EU foreign policy.

Nieuwsflits – 12/02/2024 – Nederlands

Today: the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Iohannis;  new rules to ensure that euro money transfers arrive within ten seconds; and Parliament’s concerns about very serious threats to EU values in Greece.

Nieuwsflits – 09/02/2024 – Nederlands

Today: the situation of farmers and the price of agricultural products take centre stage in the debate in Strasbourg. Parliament and Council negotiators agree on a long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs. Negotiators also reach a deal on rules to combat gender-based violence.

Nieuwsflits – 01/02/2024 – Nederlands

Today: In Strasbourg, the plenary session is under way. In the debating chamber, MEPs assessed the outcomes of the most recent EU summits. The global climate crisis  and Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes were also on the agenda.

Nieuwsflits – 07/02/2024 – Nederlands

Vandaag: de plenaire vergaderperiode is aan de gang in Straatsburg. De Europarlementariërs zullen de eisen van boeren en plattelandsgemeenschappen in heel Europa bespreken; op de agenda staat een resolutie over bedreigingen voor de rechtsstaat en de mediavrijheid in Griekenland; en morgen vindt het dertiende plenaire debat in de reeks “Dit is Europa” plaats met de Roemeense president Klaus Iohannis.

Nieuwsflits – 06/02/2024 – Nederlands

The world is not on track to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, the temperature rise is expected to overshoot 1.5°C for a while, before falling back below 1.5°C thanks to large-scale carbon removals. While action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and scale up carbon dioxide removal remains crucial, there is an urgent need to reinforce efforts to adapt to climate change, in order to avoid losses and build resilience.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Climate overshoot and adaptation: Issues to watch in 2024

Next Generation EU (NGEU) and its centrepiece for investment, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), are the main EU funding instruments for green and digital measures. Against the backdrop of huge investment needs in these strategic policy areas, 2024 marks a crucial phase in NGEU implementation.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Delivery on the green and digital transition: Issues to watch in 2024

The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed by the EU to its citizens. It entitles every EU citizen to travel, work and live in any EU country without special formalities.

Schengen cooperation enhances this freedom by enabling citizens to cross internal borders without being subjected to border checks. The border-free Schengen Area guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, as well as to many non-EU nationals, businessmen, tourists or other persons legally present on the EU territory.

Future of Schengen - 8th parliamentary term

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">The aim of the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) is to help EU Member States achieve their commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost effective way. Allowing participating compagnies to buy or sell emission allowances means that emissions cuts can be achieved at least cost. </div>

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">The EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the EU's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. It is the world's first major carbon market and remains the biggest one.</div>

Green house emissions trading systems

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the first financial instrument of the EU focused on bringing digital technology to businesses and citizens.

How to make Europe greener and more digital are the twin challenges for our generation, and our success in meeting them will define our future.

Digital technology and infrastructure have a critical role in our private lives and business environments. We rely on them to communicate, work, advance science and answer current environmental problems. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted not only how much we rely on our technology to be available to us, but also how important it is for Europe not to be dependent on systems and solutions coming from other regions of the world.&nbsp;

The Digital Europe programme for 2021-2027 should be worth €7.5 billion and fund deployment of European supercomputers and data processing capacities and make supercomputing more accessible in the health, environmental, and security sectors and industry, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will strengthen and support artificial intelligence testing and trials in the health and mobility sectors, and encourage member states to cooperate in this area, with the aim of setting up a European data space. Businesses and public administrations will also be able to use artificial intelligence more. Money should be also dedicated to cybersecurity, to strengthen coordination between member states, boost Europe’s capabilities and support the deployment of cyber-security technology through initiatives such as the EU.&nbsp;

Digital Europe

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

The EU elections, took&nbsp;place from 6th to 9th of June 2024. Across the 27 member states, polling stations welcomed the EU voters who cast their ballots participating in the European governance.

The EU elections days are a pivotal moment for citizens across Europe, as millions of voters exercise their democratic right to shape the future of the European Union by voting to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament, who will represent them during the next mandate 2024-2029.

Election days - 6-9 June 2024

Ahead of European elections that took place from 6th to 9th of June 2024, the President of the European Parliament&nbsp;led a series of debates with young people across the EU under the name “Get the vote out”- to explain them why their vote matters and encourage them to go to vote.

The European Parliament also conducted an information campaign to engage citizens to come to vote in the European elections in all member states.

The EP signed also a Memorandum of Understanding with ENEX - the European News Exchange. ENEX represents 55 private TV outlets. The partnership &nbsp;deepened the cooperation between the two sides to ensure broad coverage of the European elections

Election campaign

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.

The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Genetically modified organism

On Wednesday 18 January 2023, in a secret vote, Marc ANGEL (S&amp;D, LU) received an absolute majority of votes cast and was elected to the office of European Parliament Vice-President.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament

During this legislation period 2019-2024 the European Parliament has delivered on many legislative files and priorities.

The EP, as the only directly elected EU institution,&nbsp;is the&nbsp;representative of EU citizens. It&nbsp;embodies European democracy by nature and process,&nbsp;protects and enhances democratic rights and values in the EU and the world and&nbsp;takes up citizens´ demands in the EU decision making process.&nbsp;

Through the very nature of its functions, it embodies European parliamentary democracy and lends democratic legitimacy to the European Union. As an&nbsp;inclusive decision-maker, the Parliament listens to citizens' concerns,&nbsp;and takes action based on these concerns. It&nbsp;&nbsp;stands up for peace, democracy, freedom and prosperity for all citizens.&nbsp;Besides,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;fights for&nbsp;democracy and accountability through its political and legislative work, including the budget.&nbsp;And finally,&nbsp;it offers&nbsp;the opportunity to take action&nbsp;(voting, getting in touch with local MEPs, COFOE).

Highlights of the legislative term

EU leaders met&nbsp;in Brussels on 27th and 28th of June for the European Council.

They discussed&nbsp;the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029, the next institutional cycle, Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, and other items.

Following the European Parliament elections, EU leaders met informally in Brussels on 17/6 to discuss the next high-profile EU-level roles in the upcoming institutional cycle.

The European Council is central in designating the next high-profile EU-level roles, namely:

-electing the President of the European Council 
-nominating the President of the European Commission 
-appointing the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

All these procedures are laid out in the Treaty on European Union (TEU), one of the EU’s primary treaties.

Any decision by the European Council needs to reflect the diversity of the EU in terms of geography, country size, gender and political affiliation.

European Council, 27-28 June 2024 & Informal leaders' meeting, 17 June 2024

On 29 March 2017, Theresa MAY, British Prime Minister, triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union was introduced for the first time with the Lisbon Treaty; the possibility of withdrawal was highly controversial before that. The Article 50 provides for the negotiation of a withdrawal agreement between the EU and the withdrawing state, defining in particular the latter's future relationship with the Union. If no agreement is concluded within two years, that state's membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the Member State concerned decide jointly to extend this period.

See also our previous package on <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/brexit-8th-parliamentary-term_1603_pk">Brexit</a>.

Brexit

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

The European Parliament supports human rights through the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, established in 1988.

The prize is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the fight for human rights across the globe, drawing attention to human rights violations as well as supporting the laureates and their cause.

The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Oleg Sentsov is the 2018 laureate of Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Oleg SENTSOV, Sakharov Prize 2018

In 2004 Slovakia joined the European Union as a Member State. It is a member of&nbsp;the Schengen area&nbsp;since 21 December 2007.&nbsp;It is a member of the&nbsp;Eurozone, when the Euro was introduced to replace the Slovak Crown as the national currency.

There are more than 5.4 million people in Slovakia. The country has 14 Members of European Parliament (MEPs). Slovakia has presided the EU between July and December 2016. Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who holds the most executive power and a head of state - the President - who is the formal head of the executive, but with&nbsp;limited powers. The country is subdivided into 8 regions, each named after its principal city.&nbsp;

The country was in the centre of attention nad underwent huge political turbulences in&nbsp;2018 when the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée were murdered.&nbsp;

EU - Slovakia

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections. Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected.

She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Election of the President of the European Parliament

EP Plenary session - Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

EP Plenary session - UN Climate Change Conference 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29)

Official visit to New York (United States) - 2024 Concordia Annual Summit - "Our Place In the World – Politics is the Answer": keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the United Nations General Assembly

Committee on Budgets

BUDG

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

ECON

Committee on Fisheries

PECH

Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights

DROI

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

European Parliament - Republic of Côte d’Ivoire Event at the Summit of the Future Action Days : "How can Parliaments help close the SDG financing gap ?"

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

AFCO

Opening van de vergadering

Droogte en extreme weersomstandigheden als een bedreiging voor lokale gemeenschappen en de landbouw in de EU in tijden van klimaatverandering

De historische uitspraak van het HvJ-EU in de zaak betreffende de toekenning van staatssteun aan Apple en de gevolgen daarvan

Hervatting van de vergadering

Nominale samenstelling van de interparlementaire delegaties

 Samenstelling commissies en delegaties

Stemmingen

Goedkeuring van de notulen van de vorige vergadering

Mogelijke uitlevering van Paul Watson: het gevaar van het criminaliseren van milieuactivisten en klokkenluiders, en de noodzaak van bescherming in de EU

Plenary session

Launch of the LUX Audience Award 2025 edition

Announcement of films nominated for the 2025 LUX Film Award, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), 1st Vice Chair of the EP and Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the CULT Committee

Press conference by Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), JURI Chair on procedures assessing potential conflict of interests of Commissioners-designate

De verwoestende overstromingen in Midden- en Oost-Europa, het verlies van mensenlevens en de paraatheid van de EU om in te grijpen bij dergelijke rampen die door de klimaatverandering worden verergerd

Actualiteitendebat (artikel 169 van het Reglement) - Georganiseerde misdaad, een grote bedreiging voor de interne veiligheid van de Europese Unie en de Europese burgers

Presentatie door de Raad van zijn standpunt over het ontwerp van algemene begroting van de Europese Unie voor het begrotingsjaar 2025 – alle afdelingen

De Hongaarse Nationale Kaart-regeling en de gevolgen ervan voor Schengen en de ruimte van vrijheid, veiligheid en recht

EU-respons op de mpox-uitbraak en de behoefte aan permanente actie

Debatten over gevallen van schending van de mensenrechten, de democratie en de rechtsstaat (artikel 150 van het Reglement)

Agenda van de volgende vergadering

Sluiting van de vergadering

Press conference by Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the DROI Subcommittee on human rights in Afghanistan: Afghan women testify in the European Parliament

Briefing The Left by Manon AUBRY (The Left,FR) and Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Greens/EFA by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL) and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Renew Europe by Valérie HAYER (Renew,FR), President

Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Constitutive meeting

Delegation for Northern cooperation and for relations with Switzerland and Norway and to the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee and the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the Pacific-EU Parliamentary Assembly Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with Canada Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with the Mashreq countries Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Lucia YAR in the EP in Brussels

Fransecco TORSELLI in the EP in Strasbourg

Nacho SANCHEZ AMOR in the EP in Strasbourg

Hungarian Presidency Exhibition opening

Technical briefing on the Commission confirmation hearings and the latest Eurobarometer survey

Delegation to the Cariforum-EU Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation for relations with Belarus Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee  Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, including the EU-Morocco, EU-Tunisia and EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees Constitutive meeting

Van natuurbranden tot pandemieën: bij rampen kunnen landen in en buiten de Europese Unie rekenen op de solidariteit van EU-lidstaten en zes partnerlanden. Het Uniemechanisme voor civiele bescherming is een belangrijk instrument waarin middelen en expertise zijn gebundeld zodat het blok snel en krachtig op rampen kan reageren.

Een krachtigere EU-respons bij toekomstige crises

We maken een digitale revolutie mee. Artificiële intelligentie en supercomputing gaan ons leven veranderen op gebieden zoals transport en zorg. De Europarlementariërs willen dat het nieuwe programma Digitaal Europa ervoor zorgt dat de EU aan de top staat inzake nieuwe technologieën en op goede weg is naar klimaatneutraliteit in 2050.

De digitale toekomst van Europa

Het milieu en de biodiversiteit beschermen en ondertussen in de bres springen voor het klimaat en een duurzame economie tot stand brengen, dat is de rol van LIFE! Het programma draagt bij aan de financiering van natuur- en energieprojecten in de gehele EU en daarbuiten.

LIFE: in het hart van klimaatactie

Als Europeanen uitdagingen samen aangaan, dan kunnen we er kansen van maken. Voor deze Europadag vragen we jullie om van je te laten horen! We willen van jullie weten wat jullie ideeën en wensen zijn voor de toekomst van Europa.

Europadag 2021: De toekomst van Europa

De Europese handel is altijd afhankelijk geweest van scheepvaartroutes. De afgelopen vier decennia heeft Europese wetgeving een belangrijke rol gespeeld in het ontwikkelen van een snelle, efficiënte en eerlijke scheepvaart. Vandaag blijft maritiem transport essentieel voor de handel in de EU, en het Parlement dringt erop aan om dit tegen 2050 C02-neutraal te maken.

Tijdlijn: Maritiem transport in de EU

De EU ondergaat op dit moment ingrijpende en blijvende demografische veranderingen. De bevolking vergrijst, het geboortecijfer daalt en plattelandsgebieden lopen leeg. Grote Europese steden blijven ondertussen groeien omdat mensen naar rijkere gebieden trekken op zoek naar werk. De pandemie heeft mogelijk tot gevolg dat mensen naar het platteland trekken, maar wat kan de EU aan deze demografische scheefgroei doen? Het Parlement vraagt om een Demographic Deal.

De demografische uitdagingen van de EU aanpakken

Producten voor tweeërlei gebruik zijn producten, diensten of technologieën met een legitieme civiele toepassing maar met een potentieel voor misbruik. Van chemicaliën tot computers en van drones tot gegevensencryptie, het Europees Parlement stemt over nieuwe regels voor de export van producten voor tweeërlei gebruik om de mensenrechten beter te beschermen en rekening te houden met nieuwe technologieën.

Producten voor tweeërlei gebruik: wat zijn het en waarom nieuwe regels?

Europa is 's werelds meest populaire toeristische bestemming. Wanneer het toerisme terugkeert na meer dan een jaar van verstoringen ten gevolge van de pandemie, wil het Parlement een plan voor groenere en duurzamere vakantiereizen.

De toekomst van toerisme: duurzaam, verantwoord en slim

Het Europees Parlement gelooft dat de uitdagingen waarvoor de EU en Afrika staan moeten worden aangegrepen als kansen. In de toekomstige strategie EU-Afrika moet beide continenten fungeren als gelijkwaardige partners voor een koolstofneutrale en duurzame toekomst. Thema's als migratie, goed bestuur en onderwijs moeten samen aangepakt worden.

EU-Afrika: een nieuw partnerschap voor de toekomst

De voorzitters van de EU-instellingen hebben een verklaring ondertekend bij de start van de conferentie over de toekomst van Europa, die burgers de kans geeft om vorm te geven aan het EU-beleid. De leden hebben ook het pan-Europese gezondheidsprogramma EU4Health en het ambitieuze strategische investeringsplan InvestEU aangenomen. Het Parlement riep op tot maatregelen om mensen met een handicap te helpen de arbeidsmarkt te betreden en vierde de Internationale Vrouwendag.

Hoogtepunten plenaire zitting: Toekomst van Europa, EU4Health en mensen met een handicap

De Conferentie over de toekomst van Europa staat voor de deur! Het Europees Parlement legde de grondvesten van de conferentie toen voorzitter Sassoli samen met de Commissie en de Raad een gemeenschappelijke verklaring ondertekende. Wanneer de conferentie later dit jaar van start gaat, krijgen alle Europeanen de kans om hun mening te geven over de werking van de EU en haar prioriteiten!

Conferentie over de toekomst van Europa: bepaal uw toekomst

Het Europees Parlement vraagt nieuwe regels om bedrijven verantwoordelijk te kunnen houden voor mensenrechtenschendingen en milieuschade in hun bevoorradingsketens, zowel in de EU als daarbuiten.

Mensenrechten, het milieu en bedrijfsverantwoordelijkheid

Wat is EU4Health? Hoe zal het de Europese gezondheidszorgsystemen helpen? Hoe bereidt de EU zich voor op de volgende bedreiging voor de volksgezondheid? Kom meer te weten over het programma dat de Europese gezondheidssystemen weerbaarder moet maken na de Covid-19-pandemie.

Wat, waarom, hoe? Alles wat u moet weten over EU4Health

Europarlementariërs zullen stemmen over een investeringspakket van € 400 miljard voor, onder meer, hulp aan het midden- en kleinbedrijf. Ze zullen ook pleiten voor een CO2-heffing op vervuilende importen en voor het aansprakelijk stellen van bedrijven voor mensenrechtenschendingen en milieuschade in hun aanvoerketens. Dat en meer staat op de agenda van de plenaire vergadering.

Op de agenda van de plenaire vergadering: een gezondheidsplan voor de EU, kleine bedrijven en eerlijke aanvoerketens

InvestEU heeft een prominente rol gespeeld in innovaties bij de strijd tegen Covid-19. Het programma bood financiële ondersteuning aan het MKB en bedrijven met groeipotentieel zoals het Duitse bedrijf BioNTech, om het te helpen bij de ontwikkeling van het eerste goedgekeurde Covid-19-vaccin ter wereld. Het Parlement drong erop aan dat kleine en middelgrote ondernemingen essentiële kapitaalinvesteringen zouden ontvangen van InvestEU tijdens de pandemie, zodat ze sterker uit de crisis kunnen komen.

InvestEU: Kleine ondernemingen en innovaties in Covid-19-vaccins

8 maart is de Internationale Vrouwendag! Al decennia lang strijdt het Europees Parlement voor de vrouwenrechten. De Europarlementsleden zorgen ervoor dat vrouwen centraal staan in de beleidsvorming van Europa, van gelijk loon tot bescherming tegen huiselijk geweld.

Tijdlijn: vrouwenrechten in de EU

Het Europees Parlement en de European Film Academy hebben de drie genomineerde films voor de Europese publieksprijs voor de beste film 2021 bekendgemaakt. De kanshebbers zijn 'Druk' van Thomas Vinterberg, 'Collective' van Alexander Nanau en 'Corpus Christi' van Jan Komasa. De vernieuwde filmprijs geeft het Europese publiek voor het eerst de mogelijkheid om online te stemmen op hun favoriet en samen met de Europarlementariërs de winnaar te bepalen.

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